Mid-season review: AlphaTauri, continuing from last year
What to remember from the first part of AlphaTauri team's season? After a good 2020 season, the team wants to confirm. With Pierre Gasly and the promising Yuki Tsunoda, the team's season is going well. However, the inexperience of the Japanese driver is lacking.
A new season in continuity with last year at AlphaTauri. After finishing in seventh place in the World Championship in 2020 (107 points), the Italian team is looking to confirm and above all, to progress.
For this 2021 season, the team has chosen to trust in youth with Yuki Tsunoda. The first F1 driver to be born in 2000, the promising Japanese finished third in F2 in 2020, after winning the F4 Championship in 2018. Feats that caught the eye of Franz Tost and his team. This choice allows Gasly to take on the role of leader. By combining the experience of the Frenchman and the youth of Tsunoda, AlphaTauri is making a risky and ambitious bet.
The team can rely on a reliable car, in line with last year’s performances. With a sixth place (68 points) overall, AlphaTauri is already doing better than last year. It regularly finds itself in Q3, through Gasly, and valuable points are earned in races. However, care must be taken not to slack off. Tsunoda’s lack of experience is evident and has cost important points in these first months. The team can still rely on the solid results of its French driver.
Gasly, the confirmation
He was expected at the turn and he is present. The Frenchman feels very comfortable at the wheel of his AlphaTauri. And for good reason, Pierre Gasly is delivering extraordinary performances. A rather satisfying first half of the season for the driver, but he hopes to do better in the future. The Norman driver currently has 50 points and does not intend to stop there. In Baku, he secured a nice third place behind Sergio Perez and Sebastian Vettel. A podium finish that was missing from his record after finishing second in Brazil in 2019 and winning in Monza last year.
If a new victory seems unlikely, he can still pocket valuable points for the constructor rankings at the end of the season. This season, Gasly has only missed out on Q3 twice. A confirmation for the Frenchman compared to his great form last year. His place at AlphaTauri suits him so well.
A difficult start for Tsunoda.
Before the start of the season, everyone was looking curiously at the new AlphaTauri driver. At 20 years old, Yuki Tsunoda is the youngest driver in the paddock. A risky bet according to some. The Japanese driver has not been very successful in his first few months in F1. A bumpy start due to his inexperience and the pressure that he struggles to handle. Often, whether during practice sessions or races, Tsunoda seemed tense on the radio with his engineer. The driver did not hide his frustration over his disappointing results. However, he forgets that he is a rookie.
Although his car is performing well, Tsunoda is struggling to express himself. His efficiency in races can make his disappointing qualifiers regrettable. With only 18 points to his name, these are not the desired beginnings for the Japanese driver. He still has half a season left to show the extent of his talent. Less Call of Duty and more calm can only do him good.
The teammates’ match
Unsurprisingly, Pierre Gasly outshines his young teammate. The Frenchman confirms weekend after weekend. And after a failure, he always bounces back. During qualifying, Gasly spends his time in Q3, securing interesting placements: three times fifth and four times sixth. A total domination for the former Red Bull driver (11-0). It happened in Spain and Great Britain. His teammate, on the other hand, still managed to make it to Q3 three times.
In the race, there is no match. Gasly is still in the lead (8-3). Despite two retirements for him this season, he still performs wonders in his car with a podium in Baku as a bonus. The Japanese driver is closely following him. His best position is a great sixth place achieved in Hungary, just behind… his teammate.
In continuation of the 2020 season, AlphaTauri is progressing race after race. Gasly’s good results allow the team to keep up with the other teams in the middle of the table. A fifth place in the constructors’ standings, held by Alpine, is still possible. If and only if Gasly continues to do his job and if Tsunoda raises his level. The two drivers could then dream bigger.
